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Severe Depression

What is Severe Depression?

Severe depression, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a serious medical illness. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.

Unlike normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss or passing moods, severe depression is more than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Severe depression is long-lasting and significantly interferes with your thoughts, behaviour, daily mood, activity, and physical health. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy, or both.

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why. It can affect anyone at any age. With the right supports and information, Depression is very treatable.

"Life is not about being perfect, it is about effort and when you bring that effort every single day,
that’s where the transformation happens"

Symptoms of depression include:

  • Low mood, feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

  • Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

  • Loss of hope and confidence

  • Lack of personal hygiene

  • Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy or meeting people

  • Lack of interest in sex

  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

  • Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

  • Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

  • Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

  • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts

When several of these symptoms occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with your daily life, go, and speak with your Doctor as professional help is needed. If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 999 or your local emergency number immediately.

"Every day may not be a good day, but, there is something good in every day"

Girl Relaxing

Disclaimer

By means of this website, KPSN provides information concerning Mental Health Recovery, Education and General tips and advice on Mental Health & Wellbeing.
While KPSN makes every reasonable effort to provide information that is as comprehensive, accurate and clear as possible, the information provided on this site is necessarily of a general nature and may not address the specific circumstances of a particular individual. If you wish to find out what your particular position is in your own particular circumstances Please consult your doctor.

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